Auto Racing: Triumphant Rogers keeps Young in his memory

Tom Rogers Jr. of Riverhead swept the NASCAR Modified Twin 49s Saturday at Riverhead Raceway to score his fifth and sixth wins of the season as well as taking a commanding 32-point lead in the chase for the championship.

Many of the fans watching wore red to celebrate the life and racing career of the late Chris Young, who drove a No. 49 Modified.

In the first race, Rogers finished ahead of runner-up Ryan Preece of Berlin, Conn., followed by Eddie Brunnhoelzl III of Levittown, Howie Brode of East Islip and Vinny Biondolillo of Farmingville.

The second Twin 49 saw Rogers pick up where he left off in the first race. At the conclusion, Rogers signed one of the two trophies and presented it to relatives of Young.

“When I first started racing Figure Eights, one of the first pieces of advice I got was from Chris Young,” Rogers said. “He told me whatever happens on the track, leave it there. Don’t take it home or carry it to next week and I do just that.”

Brode was second and Ryan Preece drove in third. Rob McCormick of Calverton and Brunnhoelzl completed the top five.

Going into the homestretch of the season, Rogers leads Vinny Biondolillo in points, 280 to 248, in the championship chase with Kyle Soper third with 246.

In tribute to his late father, Christopher Young competed in his dad’s NASCAR Modified, and was 14th and 13th in the Twin 49s.

In other races:

Roger Maynor of Bay Shore gave himself a belated birthday gift as he won a 15-lap Figure Eight main event for his 114th career win. The win, coupled with a bad outing for the championship leader, Rogers, narrowed the title fight down to 10 points, with Rogers leading. Tom Ferrara of Patchogue was second and C. J. Lehmann of Shirley was third.

Dan Turbush of Riverhead continues to click off the victories in the Super Pro Truck class. He won his second straight feature event Saturday for his fourth win overall. Dave Brigati of Calverton had to settle for second. Mike Albasini of Flushing was third.

The 20-lap Legend Race Car event went from green flag to checker flag with the championship leader, Dylan Slepian of Dix Hills, in front to collect his fourth win of the year. Vinny Delaney of Holtsville tried to nail down his second straight win but finished second instead, ahead of the third-place Kyle Ellwood of Riverhead.

Hank Hallock of Riverhead won the 50-lap Truck Enduro and at 68 years old showed the younger generation how it’s done in the process. Don Nelson Jr. of Rocky Point was second. Third place went to Woot Lawrence of Southampton.

When the new Bone Stock Demolition Derby rules were introduced prior to the season, they were drawn up with the intent of novice drivers having a chance to find success. Mission accomplished. Damon Aiello of Bay Shore, in his first demolition derby, took the win.